Police Union Criticized for Using Video of Cursing Black Toddler to Decry ‘Cycle of Violence’

The policemen’s union in Omaha, Nebraska, has come under fire for using the video of a cursing, middle finger-waving black toddler to highlight the “cycle of violence” and the “thug cycle” that officers have to deal with as children grow up.

The union is being called racist for using the video of a black three-year-old as an example of the “thug life” that some many teenagers grow up to emulate.

The diapered child who appears to be about three or so–just learning to talk–is seen giving his parents the middle finger, repeating curse words, and calling himself and others a “ho.”

The union posted a page to its website decrying the way these parents are raising their child.

On its website, the police union says, “Folks…this video is bad. Really, really bad and it will make you angry.”

The website goes on to say, “We here at OmahaPOA.com viewed the video and we knew that despite the fact that it is sickening, heartbreaking footage, we have an obligation to share it to continue to educate the law abiding public about the terrible cycle of violence and thuggery that some young innocent children find themselves helplessly trapped in.”

Folks….soak this in.

You are literally watching “the cycle” of violence continue right in front of your eyes.

A powerful cycle that must be broken if we ever hope to get a handle on violence in Omaha.

A powerful cycle that the police alone cannot stop.

The person who originally posted the video fired back at the police union on his own Facebook page, but, like the police, I won’t link to it or give the punk any publicity here.

The union has been called racist for posting the video, but union president John Wells–a sergeant on the Omaha PD–defended the video saying, “a lot of these children end up dealing with law enforcement.”

“I’m not saying that this kid won’t grow up to be a productive member of society.”

The post called the video’s creator, who is reportedly the toddler’s uncle, a “local thug,”, but Wells said: “I don’t know that he’s a gangbanger… he mentions 29th Street, which is a local Bloods gang here.”

Sergeant Wells says that much of Omaha ethnically segregated and many residents dismiss crime by saying “it didn’t happen in my part of town, that’s not a problem.”

This is the “cycle” of crime and violence he is trying to end in Omaha.

So, what do you think? Is the Omaha police union filled with racists or do they have a good point?